Undergraduate

Communications Teacher Certification

Robert Morris University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a concentration in Communication/English Teacher Education. Upon successful completion of this undergraduate degree program, the teacher candidate applies to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for teacher certification in secondary Communication and teacher certification in secondary English (grades 7-12).

Our education faculty members are specialists in their areas of expertise, and all have related work experience as practitioners in the field, such as principals, superintendents, and teachers.

In addition to the general course requirements, each undergraduate education major must meet ten other certification requirements, all of which must be satisfied for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to grant a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate to teach specific content areas at the secondary level.

Teaching is a highly respected profession which provides a regular daily and weekly work schedule, time off each year, excellent benefits, job security and opportunities to continue your education.

2010 national mean bachelor-level, entry-level salaries: (information from the National Association of Colleges and Employers)

Elementary

$30,513

Special Education

$32,898

Pre-Elementary

$27,336

Specific Academic/Vocational

$34,260

Secondary

$37,703

2009 RMU Salary Survey:

Elementary Education

Mean: $31,250

Range: $24,000 - $38,500 (based on three or fewer responses)

Business Education (M.S.)

Mean: $40,539

Range: $30,000 - $55,000

Below is a typical four-year course of study for communications teacher certification, including major requirements and electives. Your own schedule will vary based on your own interests.

FRESHMAN/Fall Semester

FRESHMAN/Spring Semester

Reading & Writing Strategies

Argument and Research

Reading Literature: Coming of Age

Intro to Communication

Math Reasong w/Applications

Schools and Society

General Psychology

Study of Literature

Principles of Sociology

Fundamentals of Info. Systems

Statistics

SOPHOMORE/Fall Semester

SOPHOMORE/Spring Semester

Public Speaking and Persuasion

Intercultural Communication

Survey of Economics

Teaching Special Needs Students

Educational Psychology

Modern English Grammar and Editing

Study of Language

Creative Writing

Intro. to Theater

Study of Rhetoric

General elective

Humanities: Art and Music

JUNIOR/Fall Semester

JUNIOR/Spring Semester

Interpersonal/Small Group Comm.

Instructional Design/Assessment

Professional Communication

American Lit: 1865-Present

Teaching in Inclusive Sec. Classrooms

British Lit: 1789-Present

Reading Content/ELL

Seminar in English Studies

American Lit: Before 1865

Natural Sciences elective

British Lit to 1789

SENIOR/Fall Semester

SENIOR/Spring Semester

Technology for Secondary Educators

Student Teaching Seminar

Content Specific Pedagogy: Eng/Com

Student Teaching Internship: Eng/Com

Dramatic Art of Shakespeare

Additonal night course

Writing Theories and Practices

History or Political Science elective

The Communications Skills Program (CSP) is a sequence of nine courses running through all four years of instruction. Students are normally required to take eight of them: four in the University Core and four communications-intensive courses in their major fields or closely related areas of study.

Because communications skills is a concern during every semester and in every major, Robert Morris students have the time necessary to develop proficiency in reading and interpreting, writing, speaking, listening, making presentations using appropriate software, developing skills in cross cultural and multicultural group dynamics, and applying rhetorical skills to each business discipline.

The Communications skills courses equip Robert Morris graduates for a competitive, multicultural, professional environment, and satisfy employer needs for employees prepared to meet the demands of a diverse and interconnected global economy.

The program builds a real world advantage for the Robert Morris graduate. The University believes this program moves Robert Morris graduates years ahead of their peers in terms of experience that will be most valuable to them on the job and in graduate studies.

School of Education & Social Sciences - Advisory Committee School of Education & Social Sciences - Advisory Committee

A resource for faculty and students in teacher education is the advisory board, which consists of education alumni, teachers, and administrators from schools where our graduates are employed. These professionals provide advice and input on matters pertaining to the education profession which are helpful to the department in keeping the curriculum current and in keeping our program requirements challenging yet practical. Thus, it is the primary goal of the board to help keep Robert Morris at the cutting edge of teacher education offerings in the area.

Professors and lecturers teach introductory and advanced biology courses. They may also mentor students with projects and direct research programs.

The School of Education and Social Sciences faculty is comprised of caring individuals who accept the responsibility for educating the "whole" student at RMU. Consequently, our faculty members are specialists in their areas of expertise who effectively implement sound instructional practices when teaching and just as importantly, they engage students in a variety of purposeful enrichment activities outside the classroom setting. One hundred percent of SESS full-time faculty hold a doctorate degree in their field and have strong backgrounds as teachers, researchers, counselors, psychologists, principals, superintendents, and authors. Students learn from them first-hand what it takes to succeed.

Scholarships are available based upon academic achievement.

For freshmen, high school grade point average and ACT/SAT scores are used. For transfer students, the cumulative grade point average of all college courses is used. Scholarships range from $1000 per year up to full tuition. (To calculate your scholarship eligibility, click here.)

Higher education is an investment in your future.

At Robert Morris University, we will work closely with you to show you how to finance your education through a combination of need-based financial aid, scholarships, and financing strategies to make your education attainable. RMU has one of the lowest tuition rates of all private institutions in the state, but we know that financing your education can be complicated, and your family might need help in understanding your options.